Invalid walker



Feb. 2, 1954 c, H. FORBES 2,667,914

INVALID WALKER Filed April 2, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 2

42 I2 0 0 (9 0 6 G D I56 I54 V50 @lurence H. Forbes mmvmzz.

Feb. 2, 1954 c. H. FORBES mvmo WALKER Filed p l 2, 1952 S ts-Sheet 2 @larence H. Fo

' INVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 2, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INVALID WALKER Clarence H. Forbes, Salt Lake City, Utah ApplicationApril 2, 1952, Serial No. 280,010

(Cl.v 155-22) Claims.

This invention relates to an invalid crutch walker and particularly to a walker for supporting invalids and others while learning to walk.

The victims of polio and other diseases as well as the victims of crippling accidents, frequently have to learn to walk all over again. It is desirable to provide supporting structures which can be moved by the invalid so that the necessary motions to learn to walk can be accomplished. Also it is desirable to have a walker so that invalids who are incapable of proper walking action can propel themselves about the house or even go about their business.

The present invention relates to a crutch-type walker in which a flat frame is provided having the necessary stiffness and rigidity to support the invalid and crutch-like wings are attached to the front panel and have body supporting devices thereon. The device is made sufliciently strong and sturdy so that it will readily support the weight of an invalid, preferably mounted on rollers so that it may be easily moved in any direction, and has a base sufliciently wide so that it will not be easily upset but sufficiently narrow to go through normal doors and other type structures.

In constructing the device according to the present invention, a front panel is constructed by laterally extending cross members which are spaced by vertically extending spacer members and the whole is secured rigidly together so that it forms a firm, sturdy foundation for the walker. The crutch-like wings are hinged to the ends of the cross member and are foldable against the frontmember so as to form a compact unit when not in use. The wings are locked in position by anysuitaole means such as hanger braces which are detachably connected between the front panel and the wings to maintain the wings in a predetermined relation with respect to the front.

When "the walker is designed for a particular individual, it will not then be adjustable, but when it is to be used for several persons, such as in an institution, the front panel will probably be made adjustable in width and the wings or supporting members will be made adjustable in length so that they may be used by a variety of persons or invalids.

The construction is such that the wings will fold solidly against the frame member and preferably so arranged that one of the wings will fold into telescopic relation with the frame and the other wing will be offset by hinge members so that it will fold lightly against the other side of the frame;

It 'an important object of this invention to provide an invalid walker.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an invalid walker which can be folded into a small space.

A further object of this invention is to provide an invalid walker which can be adjusted to various sized persons.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an invalid walker having improved folding means for folding the device into a small space.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a walker having an improved adjusting mechanism.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invalid walker according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the invalid Walker;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the invalid walker;

Figure 4 is a cross' section of the device, taken substantially on the plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of Figure 2' and showing the hinge and locking mechanism;

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 55 of Figure 3 and showing the width adjustment;

Figure 6. is an enlarged cross section through the. locking mechanism of the leg extension and taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 6-6 of Figure 1;

Figure '7 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the connection showing interlap of the metal strips between the strut and extension leg section, taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 'F 'l of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is an enlarged vertical section through the construction of the spacing frame and taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 88 of Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the hinge between the spacing frame and the inwardly folding Wing;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the walker in folded position;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a modification of the clamp between the strut and the extension leg; and,

Figure 12 is a cross section through the modified strap clamp taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line l2--I2 of Figure 11.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a front frame section is provided with an upper cross member I and a lower cross member I2. Members I0 and I2 are constructed of a plurality of pieces, the cross member It being constructed by the end members [4 and I6 while the cross member I2 is constructed of end members I8 and 29. The end members I4 and it are joined together by a telescoping sleeve 22 while the end members I8 and 23 are joined together by telescoping member 24. As shown in Figure 5, the members I4 and I6 are provided with a plurality of apertures or transverse opening 26 which match with apertures 33 and 32 in the member 22 and are engaged by fastening members 28 securedby suitable means such as nuts 34. The apertures 26 may be any desired distance apart so that the frame members I2 and Ill may be adjusted to any suitable length. 7

The cross members It and I2 are separated and held in adjusted position by spacer members 35 and 38 which cross and are joined to the members I0 and I2. The junction between the members I0 and I2 and the spacer members 36 and 38 are reinforced by suitable juncture reinforcing 'members 48 and 52 which are preferably substantially T-shaped in formation and have apertures for'connecting the junction members All and 42 to the cross pieces II! and I2 and to the spacers 36 and 3B.

" Th'ejunction member 43 is provided with an aperture 44 which'is common to both legs of the device and has a fastener such asa rivet 4'3 extending through the cross member Is, the junction member 49 and the spacer member 35. Apertures 48' and 50 have fastener members 52 and 54 securingthe junction members 4% to the cross 'me'mber III and' an aperture 55 receiving a fastener 58 to rigidify the junction member with respect to'both the cross bar I0 and the spacer member 36. Each of the spacer members 46 and 42 'are substantially identical in construction and are substantially T-shaped except for such variations as may be desirable to meet the configuration of the frame.

'A right wing 58 and a left wing 52 are constructed by substantially A-shaped frames having converging struts 34 and 66 on which are rigidly mounted cross members 68 and III. The left wing 62 is substantially identical to the right wing 60 except that the positions are reversed. The cross bars 68 and III are preferably outside of the struts 64 and" 66 while the cross bars I2 and Id are outside of the struts I 6 and I8 of the left wing 62. Each of the Wings 63 and 62 is provided at the top thereof with an-arcuate body supporting member I which may be of any suitable size but preferably is substantially of the size found on most normal crutches.

The cross bars 68, III and I2 and It are hingedly connected to the cross members It and. I2 so that the wings 6B and 52 may be folded with respect to the frame. The cross bars are so positioned to underlie the cross members and the left hand member 62 is directly pivoted to the end of .the bars of the frame so that when the left hand member is folded on the front of the frame, the bars 62 and 64 will telescope with respect to the members Ill and I2. In this manner, the wing such as 62 will fold firmly against the front of the frame with the cross bars and the cross members in superimposed position.

In order to reinforce the hinge, hinge plates 80' and B2 are provided on the cross members I0 and I2, respectively and hinge plates 84 and 82 are provided on the cross bars I2 and Id. The hinge members as well as the ends of the cross bars and 4 cross members are connected by suitable fasteners such as bolts 58 and 93.

In order to permit the other wing as to practically fold with relation to the frame, hinge plates 92 having offset hinge portions 94 are secured to the ends of the cross members I63 and I2 and hinge plates 96 are mounted on the cross bars 68 and It by means of suitable pivot pins 93. The offset 34 is of sufficient length that when the wing 60 is folded against the back of the frame there will be sufficient room for the struts t4 and 65 and the cross members 63 and Ill to lie flat against the back of the frame.

In order to rigidly support the wings GI} and 62 in a predetermined relation to the frame, the hinge plates 89 and 92 are provided at the inner ends thereof with ears I30 and I02. The ear I00 being provided with an aperture Ifi i in which is secured a brace member I33 while the ear I62 is provided'with an aperture I03 in which is secured a brace member H0. The brace member I06 is detachably connectable to an aperture I I2 in the cross bar I2 and the brace II 2 is detachably connected to an aperture H4 in the cross bar 68. Preferably the same construction of brace members are provided to the lower cross bar I2 so that the invalid cannot conveniently disconnect all of the brace members.

When the walker is made to a particular size, the struts E4, 63, 13 and I8 will be of the correct height for the particular individual and means such as casters I28 will be directly secured to the bottom ends of the struts for the purpose of locomotion of the device.

When the walker is to be adjustable in height, the struts will not be of sufficient length to reach the floor and extension leg members I22 will be coupled to each of the struts and the leg members will be adjustable with respect to the strut members to determine the height of the device. Preferably clamp members I24 and I2 will be applied around the struts and the extension leg and may be drawn up by any suitable means such as screw fasteners i23 so that'the leg members may be lapped in secure position with respect to the strut. I

Preferably the overlapping portions of the struts and the extension legs will be provided with reinforcing straps in the form of metal straps I30 and I32. These metal straps I32 and I32 will be respectively applied to the faces of the struts and to the extension leg I22. Preferably the strap I33 is bent backwardly around the end of the strut and is secured thereto by any suitable fastener such as a screw I34. The extreme end of the strap being bent upwardly to provide a bracket I36 which contacts with the clamp I26.

Likewise the strap I32 is bent upward and backwardly over the top end of the extension leg I22 and is connected thereto by means of a screw fastener I 38. The end of the strap I32 being bent outwardly to form a bracket I40 for contacting the clamp I24. The, strap I33 on the strut is provided with a lug I42 which is rigidly secured by any suitable means such as riveting or welding. The strap I32 on the extension leg is provided with a plurality of spaced apart apertures I4 3. The lug I42 is selectively engaged in the desired aperture I44 to firmly lock the extension leg in adjusted position with respect to the strut.

Instead of using a tension clamp, as shown in Figure 6, a pressure clamp may be utilized as shown in Figures 11 and 12. The band member I53 is of sufficient size to freelyextend around the rear.

the overlapping strut and the extension legend is'providedwith an aperture through which exsides of the strut and the extension leg are in firm contact with each other and the stud I42, may be engaged in the desired aperture I44 to prevent any'slipping of the device while in use.

In the operation of the device the wings will be extended in a rearward open position and locked in place by means of braces H36 and Hi! and the patient will be placed into the frame from The body support 15 maybe placed under the shoulders of the patient and the cross bar 68 is preferably at such a position that the hands of the operator may be placed thereon. With the Weight of the invalid being supported by'the hands and the support 15, any motion of the feet will propel the device over the floor. The back of the walker may be left open, or, if desired, suitable straps or harness to support or assist the patient may be provided for connection to, or across, the back of the walker. Rings (not shown) may be attached to the wings for con- 'necting such auxiliary straps.

Obviously, the device may be made adjustable either in width or in height, to fit any patient or can be made to any size and not adjustable.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides an invalid walker which has the advantage of light weight and steadiness so that a patient may be placed therein or removed therefrom with a maximum convenience and in hopes the patient may propel the device across the floor in learning to operate the legs and feetin proper walking motion.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described according to the 'best present understanding thereof, it will be apparent that many changes and modifications can be made therein, without departing from the true spirit of the invention as claimed.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. An invalid walker comprising a front frame section, said frame section including a plurality of cross members, a plurality of substantially vertical spacing members, substantially 'T-shaped connectors rigidly securing said cross member and said spacer members at the junction thereof, right and left crutch-like wing sections, said wing sections hingedly connected to the respective ends of said cross members, one of said wings being foldable against the front of said frame, the other of said wings being foldable against the rear of said frame, the hinge member of said other wing being offset whereby said wing may fold snugly against said frame.

2. An invalid walker comprising a front frame section, said frame section including a plurality of cross members, a plurality of substantially vertical spacing members, substantially T-shaped connectors rigidly securing said cross member and said spacer members at the iunction thereof, right and left crutch-like wing sections, each of said wings including a plurality of upwardly converging strut members, cross bars rigidly secured to said struts, hinge members connecting said cross bars to the respective ends of said cross members, brace means for selectively looking said wing section in fixed relation to said frame, one of said wing sections folding against the front of said frame, the other of said wing sections folding against the back of said frame,

6 the hingezmembers ioiningzsaid wing section-to said" frameibeing .ioffset :to compensate.- for the thickness of said wingzsection.

3. An .invalidwalker comprising a front frame section, said frame section including .a plurality of cross. members, a plurality of substantially verticalspacing members, substantially T-shaped connectors rigidly securing said cross ,member and said spacer members at the junction thereof, :right and left crutch-like wing sections, each of said wings including a plurality of upwardly converging strut members, cross bars rigidly.secured to said struts, hinge members connecting said cross bars tosaid cross members inover and under relation, said cross bars being outside of said struts whereby one of said wing sections folds against the front of said frame with said cross bars and said cross members lying in superposed relation, the hinge members between the cross members and the cross bars of the other section being offset whereby the struts of said other wing section fold against the back ofsaid frame.

4. An invalid walker comprising a front frame section, said frame section including a plurality of cross members, a plurality of substantially vertical spacing members, substantially T- shaped connectors rigidly securing said cross member and said spacermembers at the junction thereof, right and left crutch-like wing sections, each of said wings including a plurality of upwardly converging strut imembers, cross bars rigidly secured to said struts, hinge members connecting said cross bars to the respective ends of said cross members, brace means for selectively locking said wing sections in fixed relation to said frame and adjustable-leg sections clamped to said struts.

5. An invalid walker comprising afront frame section, said frame sectionincluding a plurality of cross members, a plurality of substantially vertical spacing members, substantiallyTeshaped connectors "rigidly securing said cross, member and said spacer members at the junction thereof, right andleft crutch-like wing sections, each of said wings including aplurality of upwardly .converging strut members, cross bars rigidly secured to said struts, hinge members connecting said cross bars to said cross members in vover. and under :relation, saidcross bars being outside of said struts whereby one of said wing sections folds against the front of said frame with said cross bars and said cross members lying in superposed relation, the hinge members between the cross members and the cross bars of the other section being offset whereby the struts of said other wing section fold against the back of said frame, and said hinge members including a plate extending in reinforcing relation to said cross member, an ear on the inner end of said plate, a brace member pivotally secured to said ear and means detachably connecting said brace members to lock said wing sections in predetermined relation to said frame.

6. An invalid walker comprising a front frame section, said frame section including a plurality of cross members, a plurality of substantially vertical spacing members, substantially T-shaped connectors rigidly securing said cross member said spacer members at the junction thereof, right and left crutch-like wing sections, each of said wings including a plurality of upwardly converging strut members, cross bars rigidly secured to said struts, hinge members connecting said cross bars to the respective ends of said cross members, brace means for selectivelylocking' said wing sections in fixed relation to said frame, leg sections applied to said struts and clamp means securing said leg sections in adjusted relation to said struts.

7. An invalid walker comprising a front frame section, said frame section including a plurality of cross members, a plurality of substantially vertical spacing members, substantially T-shaped connectors rigidly securing said cross member and said spacer members at the junction thereof, right and left crutch-like wing sections, each of said wings-including a plurality of upwardly converging strut members, cross bars rigidly secured to said struts, hinge members connecting said cross bars to the respective ends of said cross members, brace means for selectively locking said wing sections in fixed relation to said frame, a leg section applied in longitudinally overlapping relation to each strut, clamp means securing said leg sections to said struts and interlocking means extending between each strut and its respective leg section.

8. An invalid walker comprising afront frame section, said frame section including a plurality of cross members, a plurality of substantially vertical spacing members, substantially T-shaped connectors rigidly securing said cross member and said spacer members at the junction thereof, right and left crutch-like wing sections, each of said wings including a plurality of upwardly converging strut members, cross bars rigidly secured to said struts, hinge members connecting said cross bars to the respective ends of said cross members, brace means for selectively locking said wing sections in fixed relation to said frame, a

leg section applied in longitudinally overlapping relation to each strut, clamp means securing said leg section to said struts, a reinforcing strap applied to the face of said strut and a reinforcing strap applied to the face of said leg section, said straps being in engaging relation when said strut and said leg section are clamped together.

9. An invalid walker comprising a front frame section, said frame section including a plurality of cross members, a plurality of substantially vertical spacing members, substantially T-shaped connectors rigidly securing said cross member and said spacer members at the junction thereof, right andleft crutch-like wing sections, each of said wings including a plurality of upwardly converging strut members, cross bars rigidly secured to said struts, hinge members connecting said cross bars to the respective ends of said cross members, brace means for selectively locking said wing sections in fixed relation to said frame, a leg section applied in longitudinally overlapping relation to each strut, a clamp means securing said leg sections to said struts, a reinforcing strap applied to the face of said strut, a reinforcing strap applied to the face of said leg section, said straps being in engaging relation when said strut and said leg section are clamped together, a stud secured to one of said straps and the other of said straps having perforations selectively engaging said stud.

10. An invalid walker comprising a front frame section, said frame section including a plurality of cross members, a plurality of substantially vertical spacing members, substantially T-shaped connectors rigidly securing said cross member and said spacer members at the junction thereof, right and left crutch-like wing sections, each of said Wings including a plurality of upwardly converging strut members, cross bars rigidly secured to said struts, hinge members connecting said cross bars to the respective ends of said cross members, brace means for selectively locking said wing sections in fixed relation to said frame, a leg section applied in longitudinally overlapping relation to each strut a'clamp means securing said leg sections to said struts, a reinforcing strap applied to the face of said strut, a reinforcing strap applied to the face of said leg section, said straps being in engaging relation when said strut and said leg section are clamped together, a stud secured to one of said straps and the other of said straps having perforations selectively engaging said stud, said straps extending over the ends of said strut and of said leg section respectively.

CLARENCE H. FORBES.

References Cited in the file ofthis patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,344,097 Stransky June 22, 1920 1,604,703 Lynch Oct. 26, 1926 1,917,440 Finkbeiner et al. Q July 11, 1933 1,949,163 Kaste n et a1 Feb. 27, 1934 r 2,002,607 McDaniel May 28, 1935 2,459,066 Duke Jan. 11, 1949 2,602,643 Caldwell July 8, 1952 

